Millions Of Dead Trees In Sierra To Fuel Central Valley Bio-Energy Plant

TRUCKEE (KCBS) -- There are millions of dead trees in the Sierra Nevada – that's the bad news. But, all those dead trees mean a biomass-energy plant in the Central Valley will stay in business for another five years.

The Fresno County plant was supposed to shut down at the end of the year—and take 25 jobs with it. But all those dead trees mean there's enough guaranteed fuel to keep the plant running for another five years.

The Fresno Bee reports the facility has a new contract with Southern California Edison, which will buy the power produced by burning all those dead trees.

Several other biomass plants in the Central Valley have shut down in recent years because they weren't able to re-negotiate their deals with power purchasers. A couple of other plants in Placer and Tuolumne counties are still up and running.